On the beautiful weekend of the first and second of November 2003, the Back Country Horsemen of East Tennessee sponsored a trails workshop hosted by the Unicoi District of the Cherokee National Forest, U. S. Forest Service. Dr. Gene W. Wood, Professor of Forest Wildlife Ecology, Extension Trails Specialist, Clemson University was the instructor. This workshop brought together volunteers from the hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding communities. However, all instruction was directed toward non-motorized trails constructed to a horseback riding standard. According to Dr Wood, trails constructed to a horseback riding standard will easily meet the needs of the other non-motorized trail users.

This workshop began with instruction on Saturday in the District Ranger's classroom. On Sunday the class moved to "hands on" learning and practical application at a new hiking-only trail being constructed on Roan Mountain. It was this "getting dirty" part of the workshop which brought appreciation to the instruction, and instilled a sense of cooperation among all those in attendance.

The northern portion of the Cherokee Forest now has a new core of formally instructed volunteers with "trails construction foremen" skills in the design, construction, and maintenance of multi-use, non-motorized trails.

Photos taken by John Williams

Dr. Wood giving instruction on trail tools

Tailgating for lunch

Part of the hiking and biking participates

Construction underway

Deciding which to use -- power tool or hand tool